Podcast / American Prestige / Feb 6, 2024

The Queer State, With Samuel Huneke

On this episode of American Prestige, a discussion on how queer politics and activism can engage in state power.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

The Queer State w/ Samuel Huneke | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

On this episode of the American Prestige, podcast, hosts Danny and Derek welcome back Samuel Huneke, assistant professor of history at George Mason University, to talk about his new book, A Queer Theory of the State.

The group discusses the various notions of queer theory and the state, how queer politics and activism can engage in state power, the neoliberal contingent of the queer community, where thinkers from Michel Foucault to Judith Sklar fit into this, and Huneke’s vision of what a queer state might look like.

Be sure to check out Sam’s past AP appearances in Queer Theory and the Queer Germany series.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Don't Say Gay Bill Protest

Protesters outside the Indiana House of Representatives during the education committee’s hearing on HB 1608, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, in Indianapolis.

(Jeremy Hogan / Getty)

On this episode of the American Prestige, podcast, hosts Danny and Derek welcome back Samuel Huneke, assistant professor of history at George Mason University, to talk about his new book, A Queer Theory of the State.

The group discusses the various notions of queer theory and the state, how queer politics and activism can engage in state power, the neoliberal contingent of the queer community, where thinkers from Michel Foucault to Judith Sklar fit into this, and Huneke’s vision of what a queer state might look like.

Be sure to check out Sam’s past AP appearances in the Queer Theory and the Queer Germany series.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Thailand–Cambodia Fighting, Venezuela Escalation, Yemen Separatists | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Subscribe now to skip the ads and get all of our episodes.

Use the holiday discount code XMAS2025 for a $45 annual subscription (offer valid through 1/1/26)! 

Jolly Saint Nick is giving the U.S. government lots of coal this year, a boon to fossil fuel companies. In this week’s news: Thailand–Cambodia fighting resumes despite Trump’s ceasefire claim (1:52); an Israeli airstrike in Gaza threatens what remains of the ceasefire (6:00), and a winter storm devastates Gaza as Israel continues blocking shelter materials and aid (9:10); Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council prepares to declare a new government amid Saudi threats (12:08); the U.S. approves the largest-ever arms package to Taiwan (16:10); China reportedly unveils a prototype advanced chipmaking tool (18:18); the Bondi Beach attack in Australia has possible Islamic State links (19:48); a New America Foundation report documents extensive U.S. airstrikes in Somalia (22:01); M23 announces its withdrawal from Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (24:49); Ukraine peace talks continue as the war nears its fourth year, including disputes over Kupiansk (27:59); Chile elects far-right president José Antonio Kast (32:23); the U.S. escalates pressure on Venezuela with military deployments and a partial oil blockade (33:27); and Congress passes a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act, including a repeal of Syria’s Caesar Act and changes to Selective Service registration (41:40).

Listen to our special with Annelle Sheline on what’s going on in Yemen.

Don’t forget to listen to our Chinese Prestige miniseries.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Time is running out to have your gift matched 

In this time of unrelenting, often unprecedented cruelty and lawlessness, I’m grateful for Nation readers like you. 

So many of you have taken to the streets, organized in your neighborhood and with your union, and showed up at the ballot box to vote for progressive candidates. You’re proving that it is possible—to paraphrase the legendary Patti Smith—to redeem the work of the fools running our government.

And as we head into 2026, I promise that The Nation will fight like never before for justice, humanity, and dignity in these United States. 

At a time when most news organizations are either cutting budgets or cozying up to Trump by bringing in right-wing propagandists, The Nation’s writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, and illustrators confront head-on the administration’s deadly abuses of power, blatant corruption, and deconstruction of both government and civil society. 

We couldn’t do this crucial work without you.

Through the end of the year, a generous donor is matching all donations to The Nation’s independent journalism up to $75,000. But the end of the year is now only days away. 

Time is running out to have your gift doubled. Don’t wait—donate now to ensure that our newsroom has the full $150,000 to start the new year. 

Another world really is possible. Together, we can and will win it!

Love and Solidarity,

John Nichols 

Executive Editor, The Nation

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

More from The Nation

Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the second inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on September 28, 2025

The Atlanta Braves or the Atlanta Bravest? Also, the March for Mumia The Atlanta Braves or the Atlanta Bravest? Also, the March for Mumia

Podcast / Edge of Sports / Feb 6, 2024 The Queer State, With Samuel Huneke Chris Buccafusco joins the show to talk about indigenous mascoting, and we go to a March for Mumia…

Podcast / Edge of Sports

US investor and philanthropist Alexander Soros, son of Hungarian-US investor and philanthropist George Soros, speaks during a ceremony to accept on behalf of his father the 2025 Civil Rights Prize of the Sinti and Roma, on October 23, 2025, in Berlin, Germany.

Liberal Philanthropy and the Fight for Democracy, With David Callahan  Liberal Philanthropy and the Fight for Democracy, With David Callahan 

On the latest Nation Podcast.

D.D. Guttenplan and David Callahan

Moses Malone

Moses Malone Gets Biblical Moses Malone Gets Biblical

On Edge of Sports: Paul Knepper on his new book on Moses Malone, and Arya comes back to talk all things NBA.

Dave Zirin

Angelo Herndon.

The Story of One of the Most Important Free Speech Cases of All Time The Story of One of the Most Important Free Speech Cases of All Time

Randall Kennedy talks to The Nation Podcast about the Angelo Herndon case.

D.D. Guttenplan and Randall Kennedy

Jeff Teat #7 of the New York Atlas in action during the Premier Lacrosse League Championship game between the New York Atlas and the Denver Outlaws at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Harrison, New Jersey.

How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA How Lacrosse and Boxing Explain the USA

On the latest episode of Edge of Sports.

Dave Zirin

A protester at the No Kings rally in Venice, Florida, on October 18, 2025.

The Myth of Free Speech The Myth of Free Speech

Historian Fara Dabhoiwala talks to American Prestige about his new book.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

x